Pius X High School students participating in the Chick-filet-A Leader Academy hosted a Bingo night in April, raising $2,300 for the pediatric sensory garden on Madonna’s Lincoln Campus.

Sponsored by local Chick-fil-A restaurant operator Dustin Andrews, the Pius students participated in a seven-month program focused on making an impact through action and leadership training.

A sensory garden utilizes plants and materials that engage one’s senses of sight, smell, touch, taste and sound. The garden is located in the Governor Robert Crosby Courtyard on the campus’ lower level where it provides a safe oasis with a healthy dose of fresh air, natural light and interactive experiences.

Plants in a sensory garden are selected for their unique properties such as vibrant colors, interesting textures and distinctive aromas. To further engage the senses, interactive spaces such as raised garden beds, water and sand tables, finger mazes, branch weaving and a climbing wall are included.

Patients and therapists traverse the sensory garden courtyard on a combination of concrete walkways, cobblestone pavers and flagstone, offering the experience of walking, standing or using a wheelchair on different surfaces. A calming water feature is central to the garden.

The Madonna Foundation thanks the Pius X student leaders and Chick-fil-A for choosing the sensory garden as the focus of their fundraiser this year.